Monthly Album Recap - May 2026
Another month down, and I would say May had some of the strongest "yeah, Eric will like these albums". All of my favorites (bolded) 100% inspired my dipping back into Fall Out Boy and their stone cold classics. Here's hoping June doesn't face plant or I don’t get distracted by listening to Wilco for the next three-months.
New Spins
American Football - LP4 // Midwest Emo
Can't be a return to form if all the hits just keep coming. Production is lovely and Kinsella is just a midwest sad and i love that.
Kacey Musgraves - Middle of Nowhere // Country
She never lost it, but, by god, does she have it. The sad recap of her last few years and heartbreak makes some of her best music.
Isaiah Rashad - IT’S BEEN AWFUL // hip hop
Feels like a Frank Ocean inspired album thay doesn’t deliver the hits
Excuse Me Who Are You? - Double Bind // screamo pop punk
This is a nostalgia sounding album and it delivers. very diy/rough in the ways I like
Lip Critic - Theft World // Post Rap Rock
this is very 2007 coded and thats not a good think. sounds like hyperpop industrial hollywood undead or flobots.
Accessory - Dust // Lazy Rock
This is Kurt Vile cosplay
Ana Roxanne - Poem 1 // Atmospheric Rock
Lush but boring. Just seems to fade into the background way too easily.
Carpool - My Life in Subtitles // Pop Punk Revival
Definitely had its moments, but it seems to blend together near the back half. Strong start.
Chalk Hands - The Line That Shapes The Coast of Us // Screamo Emo
This is confrontational hardcore emo done very well. It has some very good melodies and instrumentals to pair with a guttural "singing" voice that ties it well together.
Chroma - 25 Forever // Power Pop Punk
This feels like a modern, gruffier Paramore that just has hooks on hooks.
Greg Freeman - Burnover // Alt Rock
Honestly, not bad! Just not my complete vibe for the whole run. Unique voice and some good grooves, but just feels too samey after a bit.
Have Mercy - the loneliest place i’ve ever been // pop punk
too clean and perfect sounding for someone with these eMoTiOnS.
The Lemon Twigs - Look For Your Mind // 60s Rock
Is this copyright infringement? Just listen to the Beach Boys if you want this music.
Future Teens - Still Life // modern pop punk
Softcore-based emo that feels clean even with some stereotypical lyrics. 2006 Eric would have eaten this up.
Hekt - Forever // IDM
Really had some good grooves, but just blended together the second half almost like a Tycho can, but without the as-interesting bits.
Jump Source - Fold // Electronica
Lovely little album that, to me, has no lasting value outside of a random shuffle that I go "oh that was nice".
Koyo - Barely Here // Pop Punk
Feels more modern than other bands attempting this, but it still hits the nostalgic itch. Raspy vocals and sweet hooks will always get me.
Love Rarely - Pain Travels // Screamo
Hot damn, this rips. Reminds me of experiencing "fawn" by foxtails for the first time
PEACH - Only Love // Garage Rock
Had a post-punk vibe while leaning into some serious power chords. Had its moments, but started to blend together. Deserves as re-listen
Prince Daddy & the Hyena - Hotwire Trip Switch // Pop Rock
This name upsets me. The music is bland and an easy listen.
Liquid Mike - Hell Is An Airport // Post Pop Punk
Some good tunes in here, but just blends together and loses steam the longer it goes on. Would be a great addition to a mid-aughts inspired playlist.
ROSA FAENSKAP - Ingenting Forblir // Metal
Sick breakdowns and great heavy sections. Doesn’t feel innovative, but it sounds good.
Stars Hollow - Kind of Hoping // Pop Punk Revival
Yeah, this is the good stuff. Great hooks, choruses and brings me back to a different time. It's the right amount of raw and clean and continues to blend these together.
Shoreline - Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After // Pop Punk Revival
Less than 30 minutes and delivers all the hits you need from an album like this. Little more abrasive than others and it sticks out as a positive.
Summerbruise - Infinity Guise // Poppier Punk
Has some moments, but just feels a little more clean and that wears thin.
Tori Amos - In Times Of Dragons // Singer Songwriter
A very long winding "opus" feeling album that just loses steam the longer you listen.
Weird Nightmare - Hoopla // Slacker Rock
This is Wavves cosplay without the great riffs. Good, passable album.
TV Star - Music For Heads // Folk Pop Rock
It wants to capture the indie folk rock scene but kind of just falls into much of the same issues by not differentiating anything.
sundream - What Made Fun // DIY Emo
Some good ideas/tunes on this album, but it feels like a demo tape more than anything else
VIAL - HELLHOUND // Punk
This ripped, roared, and rocked.
Tigercub - Nets to Catch the Wind // Rock
Sounds like someone trying to do modern cosplaying of your local now-Dad rock station from 2005. Milwaukee's old 102.1 would eat this up.
youbet - youbet // lofi rock
This was a lovely little rock album that reminded me of the first time I listened to Horsegirl. Don’t know if it will stick around, but it caught my attention more than once.
White Fence - Orange // Psych Rock
Had one sound that seemed to go on forever.
Aldous Harding - Train on the Island // Indie Pop Rock
It feels like a jazz lounge rock album that just sprawls for the whole time.
Cola - Cost Of Living Adjustment // Post Rock
This music is for a singular mood and even if I was in that, I don't think this would be that great. Middle of the road fun.
Broken Social Scene - Remember the Humans // Dad Rock
This was just a fine album that would have hit in 2012.
Basement - WIRED // Indie Rock
This feels like someone trying to do the Strokes, but not as well, in 2026.
Muna - Dancing On The Wall // Pop
Nothing will match Silk Chiffon. They may come close, but they've peaked.
Lykke Li - The After Party // Indie Pop
This was just a fine little pop album that is going to soundtrack your next coffee shop visit.
Action Bronson - PLANET FROG // Rap
Remains interesting. That's the best I can say about most current rap projects. I am washed, though.
Double Extra Large - Other People // Bedroom Rock
What if Owl City forgot how to use synths.
Wide Orbit - Introducing... Wide Orbit // Psych Rock
Like the parts of Ty Segall that I just lose interest in.
Touch Girl Apple Blossom - Graceful // Pop Rock
Butt rock isn't always derogatory. Fun little album
Hiding Places - The Secret To Good Living Shoegaze Bedroom Pop
Feels claustrophobic to start and transitions into an enjoyable pop-inspired, shoegaze effort. However, feels extremely forgettable.
Rostam - American Stories // Indie Pop
I love his productions. The rest of the work is fine
Kevin Morby - Little Wide Open // Singer Songwriter
Straightforward guy with guitar living his best Midwest life. Americana at its finest. Good album that deserves a second listen.
Crash of Rhinos - Logbook // Emo
This felt like a sprawling emo-inspired rock album that had a good amount of solid DIY work. It started to blend together, but maybe I wasnt paying attention enough?
Potionseller - BUZZARD // Pop Punk
This is another band that was obviously inspired by the best year of music (2003) and hits some pretty good highs.
Captain Jazz - The Product // Post-Hardcore
Not that one. Inspired by, obviously, and they do a good job at getting the grime associated with the original band.
Citrus Jr. - Sign My Cast // Emo
It feels like a sweaty basement and I mean that in the most endearing way.
Robo Pumpkin - The Autumn Here // Emo Inspired Rock
Feels like an aggressive Slaughter Beach, Dog. I think this can catch on again, but for now it’s fine
Re-Spins
Dan Deacon - Gliss Riffer // Indie Electronica Rock
This is a stone cold classic from 2015 and still holds up. Would listen to anything this man produces.
Dan Deacon - Mystic Familiar // Indie Electronica Rock
Great follow-up. The only disappointing part is his commitment to OSTs now.
Fall Out Boy - From Under the Cork Tree // Pop Punk
10/10 album.
Fall Out Boy - Infinity On High // Pop Punk
Noticing a trend? I want to say this is their third best album. Need to revisit Folie a Deux, though.
Fall Out Boy - Folie á Deux // Pop Punk
There are diminishing returns to my full FOB revisit. A good album, but the first sign of a downturn.